A 17-year-old boy has died following a serious road traffic collision on the A19 in County Durham over the weekend.
Tragic Incident on the A19
Harley Patterson, described by his family as "much-loved", was the driver of a silver Ford C-Max involved in a single-vehicle crash. The incident occurred on the southbound carriageway between the A179 and the Elwick turn-off.
Emergency services, including police and ambulance crews, were called to the scene at approximately 11:15pm on Saturday, December 13. Despite their efforts, Harley, who was from the County Durham area, died at the scene from significant head injuries.
Road Closure and Investigation
The collision led to a major disruption on the A19, with the road closed for around 12 hours to allow for a detailed investigation. The carriageway reopened shortly after 11am on Sunday.
Cleveland Police, assisted by National Highways contractors, conducted a thorough forensic examination of the scene. Diversions were put in place to manage traffic while officers worked to establish the full circumstances of the crash.
Family's Heartfelt Tribute
In a moving statement released through police, Harley's grieving family shared a photograph of their son and brother. They paid tribute to him, saying: "Harley was a much-loved son, brother and grandson and he will be sadly missed."
Cleveland Police also issued a statement confirming the teenager's identity and extending their sympathies. "Our thoughts remain with Harley's family and friends at this extremely difficult time," a spokesperson said.
The force has appealed for any witnesses or anyone with information about the collision to come forward. They are asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101, quoting the reference number 238211.
